WEEK IN REVIEW: Mounting Anxieties About the Security of Chinese Personnel in Nigeria

Officials from China’s powerful Ministry of Public Security met last week with Chinese diplomats in Nigeria and expatriate business leaders to discuss how to better protect Chinese personnel and enterprises operating in the country. More than 120 people, including Ambassador Cui Jianchun, attended the special meeting. It’s the latest evidence of growing concerns about the safety of Chinese people and property in Africa. Last month, China’s embassy in Kinshasa ordered all Chinese residents to evacuate from three eastern DRC provinces in response to a spate of kidnappings and attacks. (CHINA AFRICA NEWS AGENCY — in Chinese)

Kidnappers abducted at least two Chinese nationals (some reports say three) working at the Zungeru Hydro Power Dam project in the Nigerian state of Niger. The attack took place while the group was working on a transmission line and authorities say it’s still not known who is responsible and whether they have any demands. The $1.3 billion Chinese-financed and built 700mw Zungeru power plant is near completion and is expected to begin operation later this year.  (PUNCH)